The Peak O3 Sanitizer Ozone
Function
Understanding the O3 Sanitizer
O3 or ozone
is basically supercharged oxygen. Oxygen is O2 and ozone is O3.
Nature regularly transforms oxygen into ozone through forces like lightning
and ultra-violet light striking the earth. O3 then acts as a natural
sanitizer. After a short period of time the ozone reverts back to
oxygen at ground level.
Without
O3 and UV light the earth would be an odorous place with mold, mildew and
viruses running rampant. The forces of nature are designed to keep the
outdoors clean and healthy. Unfortunately, there is normally very little ozone
in our indoor spaces where we spend nearly all of our time. This is because
the buildings where we live and work are designed tight to shut nature out.
Ozone can be created by man for purification purposes. It is injected in nearly
all bottled waters and is widely used in Europe for treating municipal water
supplies. O3 is also used for indoor air treatment but it should be
distributed in
a manner that is both safe and effective.
Is Ozone Safe?
The typical
way O3 is used commercially for air treatment is by blasting a high level of
ozone into an unoccupied space. For example, if a hotel wants to rid a room of
smoke or musty odors they use an ozonator such as the
Peak O3 to destroy odors out of the carpet, drapes, bedding, etc. Smoke
damage restoration services also use O3 to remove odors.
The FDA has
approved O3 for treatment of air and water in food processing plants. Water
damage restoration companies treat air with O3 at high levels in unoccupied
spaces to get rid of smells as well as mold and mildew. Some restaurants, bars
and casinos are using ozone at relatively low levels to keep
the air smelling fresh and clean at all times.
The ozone or O3 Sanitizer may be used to treat unoccupied spaces, including the entire
home or office. This is the most effective way to attack microorganisms and
reduce strong odors because it allows the O3 to go after pollutants at the
source. Ozone has been proven to reduce levels of mold, mildew and other
microorganisms. It will also help eliminate the chemicals from
new carpet, furniture and paint.
To sanitize simply close
off the problem area. Set the O3 dial to correspond to the size of the area to be treated. Then
leave the space for 1 to 8 hours depending on the severity of odors. Upon
return, open the doors and windows to let in fresh air until the O3 smell is
gone. If the odors are not totally removed perform this procedure as often as
necessary.
Many users prefer a plug-in timer so that it comes on
everyday for a few hours while they are at work and then shuts off a couple of
hours before they return home. When they walk in the air smells fresh and
clean and the O3 has reverted back to normal O2.
Some users keep the O3 Sanitizer at a relatively low setting while in the home
or office. This can hold down microorganism growth while keeping the air
smelling fresh and clean. However, caution is advised because O3 levels may
exceed those recommended by government agencies. Each home is different so it
requires a trial and error process to locate the right setting on the dial.
If you choose
to use the O3 Sanitizer in occupied spaces, set the sanitizer dial at a modest
level initially and let it run for a couple of hours. If you smell ozone when
you walk into the room, turn the dial down or off. On the other hand, if you
smell household odors, turn the dial slightly up. Repeat the process until you
walk into the room and do not smell household odors or ozone—just fresh clean
air. Please use caution while using the O3 Sanitizer in occupied spaces.
The level of
O3 generated at a particular setting on the dial will vary with humidity,
altitude, household contents, level of pollutants in the space and other
factors. The average person is able to smell ozone as the room level
approaches 20 ppb indoors. The FDA sets an upper level of 50 ppb in
continuously occupied spaces for sensitive persons such as the very young, the
elderly and the sick. The EPA has set a target level of 80 ppb for outside air
in cities, but that is regularly exceeded. A rule of thumb is to turn the
Sanitizer dial off or down if the O3 smell is detected.
Excessive ozone concentrations can cause mucus membrane or respiratory
irritation. Individuals with serious respiratory problems such as emphysema
should consult their physician before use. Those with a poor sense of smell
should also exercise caution. If O3 is detected when entering a room turn the
O3 Sanitizer dial down or off. If a dry throat, cough or watery eyes is
experienced ventilate the area and discontinue use. Ozone can aggravate
asthma.
Note
that any room air purifier should be sized using open area not several rooms.
They will not be as affective for several separate rooms. It
is unrealistic
to think that a
portable unit with
a small fan can work down hallways, to basements, or different levels.
